News Center

Search Criteria

HARRISBURG, March 16 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has unanimously adopted a measure authored by state Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Phila./Delaware, recognizing March 2016 as “National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania. “Experts suggest up to 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented if people age 50 and older were regularly screened and appropriately treated for this disease,” Donatucci said. “As uncomfortable as some people may be discussing colorectal cancer, it’s important to raise awareness about the illness so that people don’t live in fear.” The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, killing 49,700 Americans in 2015. Donatucci noted she understands the devastating toll the disease can have on families if left undetected. “I lost my father to colon cancer in 1998,” Donatucci said. “I want to make sure other families don’t have to go through what my family and I did, especially so many cases of this disease are preventable.” Donatucci’s H.R. 709 noted colorectal cancer often begins as a polyp, which is a growth that forms on the inner wall of the colon or rectum. In addition to polyps, risk factors for colorectal cancer can include age, family history, certain genetic mutations, excessive alcohol use, obesity, Read more

HARRISBURG, March 23 – State Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Phila./Delaware, today issued the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf announced he will allow H.B. 1801 , the GOP-crafted state budget for 2015-16, to become law without his signature: “The governor has brought an end to the budget impasse, but I still believe there are important issues that need to be addressed in order to balance the upcoming 2016-17 budget and do what’s right for Pennsylvania. “Harrisburg is broken, and has become more and more like Washington with each passing week. The commonwealth still faces a massive structural deficit that will remain if we don’t raise the necessary revenues to pay our bills. Our schools will continue to be underfunded and our human service providers will be forced to contemplate closing their doors if we don’t fix the way we budget. The state could truly be headed for disaster if we let the budgeting gimmicks of the prior administration continue to stand. “As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’m committed to doubling down with my colleagues and working to prevent another budget stalemate like the one we’ve all just had to live through. It’s time to stop putting politics before our children, seniors and most vulnerable residents. Let’s get to work on fixing Pennsylvania’s fiscal house, and ensure our 2016-17 budget is a much more sustainable, responsible one than the plan that’s Read more

HARRISBURG, March 23 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has unanimously adopted a measure authored by state Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Phila./Delaware, recognizing March 2016 as “National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania. “Experts suggest up to 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented if people 50 or older were regularly screened and appropriately treated for this disease,” Donatucci said. “As uncomfortable as some people may be discussing colorectal cancer, it’s important to raise awareness about the illness so that people don’t live in fear.” The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, killing 49,700 Americans in 2015. Donatucci noted she understands the devastating toll the disease can have on families if left undetected. “I lost my father to colon cancer in 1998,” Donatucci said. “I want to make sure other families don’t have to go through what my family and I did, especially since so many cases of this disease are preventable.” Donatucci’s H.R. 709 noted that colorectal cancer often begins as a polyp, which is a growth that forms on the inner wall of the colon or rectum. In addition to polyps, risk factors for colorectal cancer can include age, family history, certain genetic mutations, excessive alcohol use, Read more

Pa. state Rep. Maria Donatucci helps spread awareness about colorectal cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Donatucci’s father died from the disease in 1998 and did not undergo regular screening for the disease, which can be successfully treated if detected early. Donatucci’s House Resolution 709 names March 2016 as “National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania and encourages residents to get screened and maintain a healthy lifestyle to help prevent colorectal cancer. Read more

HARRISBURG, March 16 – State Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Phila./Delaware, today announced the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has unanimously approved her resolution designating March 9, 2016 as “Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day” in Pennsylvania. Donatucci’s H.R. 708 explained registered dietitian nutritionists are food and nutrition experts who use nutrition to find solutions for healthy living. To be considered a registered dietitian nutritionist, a person must complete an accredited supervised practice program, pass a national examination and complete continuing professional educational requirements to earn their credential. Many of these professionals work in hospitals, schools, public health clinics, nursing homes, fitness centers, the food industry and other entities. “Experts say maintaining a healthy diet is key in preventing illness and boosting overall wellness,” Donatucci said. “The work being done by our registered dietitian nutritionists is so important in improving public health and educating communities about how to be healthy. I’d like to thank my colleagues for their support of this measure honoring these vital professionals.” Approximately 3,700 residents of the commonwealth are members of the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, an affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year, the academy’s theme for “National Nutrition Month” is Read more

Pa. state Rep. Maria Donatucci asks Randy Albright, Pennsylvania's Budget Secretary, about the perils of not passing a 2015-2016 budget and the challenges it puts in front of the 2016-2017 budget. Read more

Forms for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for the 2015 tax year are available at my district office – and my staff is ready to help you file yours for free ! The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters. Half of Social Security income is excluded and the maximum standard rebate is $650. Claimants must reapply for rebates every year because they are based on annual income and property taxes or rent paid each year. Spouses, personal representatives or estates may file rebate claims on behalf of deceased claimants who lived at least one day in 2015 and meet all other eligibility criteria. The oft-extended deadline to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2015 is June 30, 2016, and the rebates normally are distributed by the Deparment of Revenue beginning July 1. So, the sooner you file, the sooner you will receive your money. Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 10 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has unanimously adopted a measure authored by state Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Phila./Delaware, marking "K9 Veterans and Services Day" in Pennsylvania on March 13, 2016, which is 74 years after the United States K9 Corps was created. "These dogs and their handlers serve and protect us all so that we may be safe," Donatucci said. "They put themselves in grave danger to save lives, and some even make the ultimate sacrifice. The least we can do is recognize them for their efforts and show our appreciation for their unwavering dedication." Donatucci’s H.R. 678 notes besides dogs and their handlers, K9 services include trainers and other helpers involved in customs, search and rescue, border patrol, police services, secret service and drug enforcement. They are used by the military, law enforcement and other governmental agencies. Though the official United States K9 Corps was established to acknowledge K9 services in World War II and beyond, military working dog handler Joseph J. White later initiated a movement to honor "K9 Veterans and Services Day" each year to raise awareness about the importance of K9 participants. To mark this year’s celebration, Donatucci will present a citation to Melissa Wallace, canine enforcement officer with the federal Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection, and her K9 service dog, Read more

PACE, PACENET and PACE plus Medicare are Pennsylvania's prescription assistance programs for older adults, offering low-cost prescription medication to qualified residents, age 65 and older. As of this year, the legislature passed a law excluding Social Security Medicare Part B premiums from being counted towards income levels. Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 9 – State Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Phila./Delaware, issued the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget address for the 2016-17 fiscal year: "Obviously, the state is in a unique situation right now, but the fact remains that there are two paths we can take in Pennsylvania: one that puts us back on the path of fiscal stewardship, and another that continues the irresponsible cuts from the past five years and further damages our credit. We’ve had enough of the status quo, so it’s time to take action. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I look forward to working with my fellow colleagues throughout the entire budget process to ensure we get Pennsylvania back on track. "Governor Wolf was elected in large part because of his commitment to funding public education. The funding boost he is proposing will help some of our most vulnerable schools, especially in Philadelphia, where too many students are crammed into small classrooms with fewer teachers. If we want future generations to succeed – and I know we do – we must invest in education now . Our children and grandchildren will be better off. "We also need to pass a balanced budget that addresses the projected $1.9 billion budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. Instead of cutting programs to the bone and using funding gimmicks to cover what’s missing, we need to pay our bills and help Pennsylvania build a better economy Read more

Pennsylvania has a Children's Health Insurance Program that provides free and low-cost health insurance to children. CHIP is not welfare – it covers children of working parents whose employers don't offer coverage and who can't afford private insurance. If you can't afford health insurance for your children, chances are they are eligible for CHIP. Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 28 – In connection with tomorrow’s seventh anniversary of the signing of the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law, state Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Phila./Delaware, is renewing her call for the House Labor and Industry Committee to consider her H.B. 1250 , which would update the state’s Equal Pay Law. Donatucci is participating in “Equal Pay Can’t Wait Week” along with other legislators nationwide to help bring attention to the gender wage gap. “It’s downright shameful that in 2016, women are paid, on average, only about 78 cents for every dollar a man brings in,” Donatucci said. “Everyone deserves to be paid fairly for their work, no matter their gender. It’s long past time for us to close this embarrassing chapter in our history and pay women and men equally.” Donatucci’s H.B. 1250 would increase fines to between $2,500 and $5,000 per day of violation and per violation for employers that knowingly violate the state’s Equal Pay Law, falsify related records or interfere with investigations under the act, among other things. Penalties under the act have not been updated since the law was established in 1959. “The law was enacted more than 50 years ago, and life has certainly changed since then,” Donatucci said. “We need to bring the penalties for knowingly paying women less than men for equal work in line with the 21 st century.” Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 27 – A resolution authored by state Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Phila./Delaware, and unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives names January 26, 2016 “Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day” in the commonwealth. “Fifty-five years ago, Japanese pediatrician Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki first discovered a set of symptoms that would later become Kawasaki Disease,” Donatucci said. “However, many of us still haven’t heard of this disease, so it’s important we spread awareness so that parents can recognize the symptoms of this serious illness.” There is no known cure for Kawasaki Disease, which is characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels throughout the body and most commonly affects young children and infants. Symptoms include fever lasting at least five days; bloodshot eyes; rash; inflammation of the mouth, lips and throat; and swollen hands, feet and lymph nodes. Donatucci’s H.R. 652 notes the disease is more prevalent in boys than in girls, and more often presents itself in children of Asian and Pacific Island descent, thought it affects all racial and ethnic groups. If left untreated, approximately one-quarter of affected children develop heart disease. “We all want to protect our children and grandchildren however we can,” Donatucci said. “I thank my colleagues for helping to start a dialogue about this disease and further the mission of improving Read more

In Pennsylvania, you can choose the company that generates your electricity – also known as your electric supplier. This means that you have the power to switch to a competing supplier who can offer the lowest price, or provide a specific service you want, such as “green” or renewable energy. Read more

Pa. state Rep. Maria Donatucci says it's time to restore funding cuts to the critical human service programs that help people with mental illness and intellectual disabilities, the homeless, and those looking for jobs. After years of budget cuts, Donatucci says it's time for Republicans to give these programs the funding they need to help all those who need it for the long run. Read more

HARRISBURG, Aug. 25 – State Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Phila./Delaware, today voted against the state House Republicans’ line-item veto override attempts, calling the votes an "unconstitutional sham." "Today’s meaningless votes were a political stunt, and nothing more," Donatucci said. "My colleagues on the other side of the aisle shamefully wasted critical time during a budget impasse instead of negotiating a real budget that benefits our most vulnerable friends and neighbors." House Republicans tried to reverse Gov. Tom Wolf’s state budget veto by reconsidering the appropriations line by line. Donatucci said state constitutional scholars say the process is likely unconstitutional. "Governor Wolf vetoed the state budget in its entirety, so the General Assembly must reconsider the budget as a whole," Donatucci said. "The legislature is not able to pick and choose the areas it wants to analyze on a line-by-line basis." Donatucci added today’s votes would also give false hope to the human service providers and the people they serve, including children and seniors. "Republicans have consistently slashed budgets for important human service programs, like rape crisis centers and early learning programs," Donatucci said. "Why are Republicans suddenly interested in the very people they have ignored for years? We need to be clear that today’s votes would not have sent funding Read more

HARRISBURG, Aug. 3 – State Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Phila./Delaware, has released the following statement in response to Pittsburgh City Council’s vote to require employers within the city to provide paid sick leave: "Today’s affirmative vote by Pittsburgh City Council is certainly encouraging. Now that Pennsylvania’s two biggest cities are on their way to providing paid sick leave, we need to consider the hardworking Pennsylvanians in the rest of the commonwealth and extend paid sick leave statewide. "Every day, Pennsylvanians are forced to decide whether to report to work sick, or risk losing their jobs by taking time off to care for themselves or an ill family member. It’s not fair to force people into making such a difficult decision, just as it’s not fair to have employees serving us food or doing business with us when they have strep throat or the flu. "It’s time my colleagues seriously consider my H.B. 624 , which would grant paid sick leave statewide. Businesses would see more loyal, productive employees, and our workforce would be healthier and better equipped to take care of their families in difficult times. Paid sick leave is a win for us all." Read more

HARRISBURG, June 30 – State Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Phila./Delaware, today issued the following statement on the Republican-crafted liquor privatization plan that passed the House on concurrence: "House Bill 466 is a poor choice for the commonwealth. We know Pennsylvanians want convenience, greater selection and better pricing – not a complete dismantling of the state-run wine and spirits stores. “The state store system has been a reliable moneymaker for years. Over the past decade, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s net profit has totaled over $1 billion. Nearly every year, the PLCB makes more and more money. At a time when the state is facing its own fiscal challenges, do we really want to privatize the system by selling off a valuable asset and turning over these substantial profits to the bank accounts of large grocery chains and other retailers? “We should also keep in mind the thousands of workers who would most likely have trouble finding other jobs if we privatize the state store system. I do not understand how my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would feel comfortable getting rid of thousands of family-supporting jobs for no good reason. “Other states that have privatized their liquor systems serve as cautionary tales – they have had to increase prices and lock up their products because of more thefts. Ultimately, I had to vote against this foolhardy legislation that would hurt our workers and the Read more

HARRISBURG, June 27 – State Rep. Maria Donatucci, D-Phila./Delaware, today issued the following statement on the Republican 2015-16 state budget plan that passed the House: "I could not support a plan that once again shortchanges our students and deprives them of the resources they need to succeed. We’ve seen what happens when our schools, especially those in Philadelphia, are forced to operate with larger class sizes, insufficient staff and few extracurricular programs. Unfortunately, this budget does nothing to correct these problems. "At the same time, this budget continues to give our natural gas drillers a free ride. When a large number of Pennsylvanians are in favor of a reasonable severance tax to fund our schools, why do Republicans keep putting corporate interests over what’s best for our children and future leaders of our state? I like to say that it’s Christmas every day for the gas drillers in Pennsylvania, but sadly, the same cannot be said for our most precious resources – our students. "Governor Tom Wolf, however, introduced a bold proposal that would give our students the tools they need to succeed, grow jobs, provide historic property tax relief, and return our state to a sound financial footing. The Republican budget plan does none of these things, and once again uses gimmicks over governing to continue the harmful cuts that devastate Pennsylvania. It’s like the movie, 'Groundhog Day': Read more

Neither the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania nor any state employee warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published by this system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products or services linked from this system, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or outdated. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.

Reference herein to any specific commercial products, processes or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturer or other mark does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The information and statements contained on this site shall not be used for the purposes of advertising, nor to imply the endorsement or recommendation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Settings

More

Stay Connected

Use this form to sign-up for email updates. Our subscription-based email deliver important information directly to you.

District Map

Social Media

Error

Contact form was unable to load. If the problem continues, please contact the webmaster.

2

Sign up for email updates

Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form your are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.

Full Name: *First Name: *

Last Name: *

Email Address: *Email: *

Phone Number: *Phone: *

Address: *

City: *

State: *

Zip: *

State representatives are prohibited from sending email updates to you within 60 days of an election in which they are a candidate, unless you request them. By leaving this box checked, you acknowledge your request to receive email updates during the 60-day period.